Reflective meeting in Naryn in August 2019

 Teachers and Coordinators of Learning Support Program met for the dialogue and discussion of the results of the academic year at 29-30th of August 2019.  Achievements and successes were introduced by the Program Coordinator  Deryabkina Natalya, and leading teachers  analyzed the results of the work in groups.Representatives from Naryn State University and Naryn Oblast Department mentioned that input of the program into students' achievement and teachers' professional growth is obvious and  they support us in our work.

The goal of the Learning Support Program for this year was  to provide opportunity in Naryn Region for  680 students from 22 schools  to enrich  their knowledge  and skills  in English, Math and IT  and to share experience of work with 35 teachers of Naryn Region.

   

 Teachers organized 3 times a week lessons for students, where they have learned according to their level. In different schools 13 workshops with demo lessons for other teachers were organized where teachers could provide a constructive feedback to each other and recommend to their colleagues the methods of teaching or activities which can be included into those lessons. A discussion was very helpful for teachers because they could reconsider methods of teaching and learning and to replan their lesson plans. We organized several contests between students- speakers, Creative work designers and presenters, Community project work implementors, Research work Presenters with participation of active students of LSP.  35 teachers at the same time could enhance their Professional Development skills by Trainings and Meetings in a year. All teachers agreed that the program is very successful, motivational, and beneficial for teachers. Teachers  examined many issues, shared their opinion on collaboration with teachers and work in community. Teachers gave suggestions   to promote  the program  in the next  academic year.  We are going to collaborate with Isntitute of Professional Development in Naryn to motivate our teachers to get a new level of PD.

Main activities organized in LSP, 2018-2019

PD Trainings: 5 trainings were organized for teachers. All of the teachers actively participate at the trainings and get new knowledge and skills; Teachers started their work in PBL, presented best ideas of work in Community Project work; New Trainer of IT was invited to cooperate with us and to present best ideas to teachers.

Workshops: 13 workshops were organized in 2018-2019. In comparison with the firstly organized workshop and the last ones, we have observed that teachers developed better organization and planning skills, many of them have demonstrated well developed team work. In a feedback many teachers highlighted that they and their students have got new knowledge and skills through the workshops. The activity of the teachers were observed by their administration-directors and deputy directors and through the discussion with teachers we made a conclusion that many of the teachers after organizing excellent workshops took leadership position (3 of them got to be deputy directors at school) and have learned from other experienced teachers (previously directors) to become effective future leaders at their schools. Preparation and presentations at the workshops motivated students in their achievement to study better.

Community Project work:  8 Projects were organized at schools, in the communities, in the kindergartens, presenting the work in LSP for parents and involving others into activities by sharing information and presenting new information to others.

Meetings with LSP coordinators:  First meeting was organized by  Program Coordinator Natalya with  Regional Coordinators Ruslan and Burulsun  for strategic planning of the work in a year. Second meeting organized by Natalya with  Ruslan and  Abduljon.  In 5 years it was the first time when we could meet for such meeting, to share experience, and to present best experience of work to each other for future thoughtful planning.

Exam: Exam was organized in May for students of English and Math. In IT at this year there were only students of beginner Level.  Took part in exam: elementary (115 students/didn’t confirm 5 students), Pre-Intermediate (75 students (didn’t confirm 4 students), and Intermediate level  (15)was organized in villages.   Totally at exam participated:  205 students. Didn’t prove their level: 9 students   Total number of students receiving certificates (excluding starter level) -499 (beginners-Intermediate)

Publication: Success story was submitted about LSP teacher (Japarkulova Gulmira) to the website. (https://www.agakhanschools.org/KyrgyzRepublic/AKSO/NewsArticle/1189 )

Programme statistics (2018 – 2019)
	2018 – 2019
Total Number of Students enrolled	680
Total number of students completed the program	576
Total number of students in the program but requires more time to complete the program	104
Number of students in English language programme	415
Number of students in Math subject programme	194
Number of students in IT programme	71
Number of students in the English language programme receiving certificates	297
Number of students in the  Math subject programme receiving certificates	149
Number of students completing the IT  courses	53
Total number of students receiving certificates ( excluding starter level)	499 (beginners-Intermediate)
Total number of teachers	35
Teachers of English language	20
Teachers of math subject	9
Teachers of IT programme	6
Total number of schools in Naryn Oblast	22
List of the districts covered in Naryn oblast	Ak-Talaa
	At-Bashy
	Kochkor
	Naryn

Workshops are effective methods of work in LSP 2018-2019

Learning Support Program launched “Workshop program” in 2018, October. It can include different strategies of work and presentations, such as demo lesson with a constructive feedback; presentation of research work, community project work, and other initiatives according to the plan of LSP in Naryn Region to support  schools and teachers in the villages.

From October to December of 2018, 7 workshops were organized (1 IT; 3 Math; 3 English) and totally 27 teachers were involved as organizers or observers.

Our last workshops were organized in Naryn Region, At-Bashi district at 21.12.18. Teacher of Math- Momunalieva Baijan and teacher of English language Baikova Osipa in the best way presented their lessons for 10 other pilot teachers, coordinators of the program, and administration of the schools. Students were very active, successfully worked in pairs, groups, presented ideas in the classroom. Teachers used interactive board, projector, PPT slides for presentation and other visual aids. Coordinators of LSP program and visitors of the lessons provided constructive feedback to teachers and gave recommendations for the future in order to organize such lesson in a best way. Such activity was very useful for everyone in a team and they got new skills in organizing workshops and providing feedback.

In order to organize a workshop, teachers have to work well with their students and to prepare them by working in pairs, groups, asking and answering questions, solving different tasks,-it takes time and when we observe the lessons we see the real result of the work. At the same time, learning environment is real at the lesson where we observe teacher’s and students’ progress of work.

In the next year we are planning to continue our work by organizing workshops and trainings for teachers. A demo lesson or presentation will help students to maximize their English learning potential or knowledge in Math and IT. Other teachers, representatives of community, parents, and other quests can visit and observe activity organized at school. It will provide practical information and support child’s learning. At the event, experienced and qualified teaching team provides practical tips, comments, and suggestions during discussion and a constructive feedback at the end of the activity.

We believe that  lessons observation through creative workshops  of Learning Support Program we will motivate  and encourage teachers and students to develop their skills and  knowledge in target subjects and involvement of community into the project.

Learning Support Program In 2018-2019

AKES continued the work with Pilot schools of Naryn Region. 56 participants-teachers and directors of the schools from four Districts were invited to the meeting at 21st of September to Naryn. Honorable guests from Naryn Educational Department, UCA Library, SPCE Educational Center, Directors of 14 schools were invited to the meeting too.  Information about the work was presented to all participants. Future working plan  of LSP was introduced and discussed.  Leading teachers- Arpachieva Rakhat and Japarkulova Gulmira presented speeches at the meeting from English and Math departments and presented the work from all schools that was organized at last academic year. Success stories of teachers were presented at the official ceremony of the meeting.  Directors and teachers  have got presents (books) and certificates. Results of the work were highlighted and presented to participants. 

Diagnostic test for teachers of English language, Math, and IT was organized and level of the knowledge was identified at the beginning of the year to compare it with the result at the end of academic year. Teachers will organize groups of students at school on the base  of their level in order to teach them successfully.

Books, stationary, and other resources were given to teachers to start the work with students at school.

Teachers' conference 21-22 of June,2018

Annual Teachers' conference was organized in Naryn on 21-22nd of June 2018 at the State Naryn University.
19 teachers from villages shared their positive experience and  successes of  their work. Teachers worked in groups and prepared analytical reports on their work, and the effectiveness of the program.
It was a new experience for teachers and they could think and work individually, share their product of ork with others, and to get a formative feedback from others. As the result, they improved the quality of their report by adding some data with numbers, facts, and statictical information. Teachers liked such form of analysis and in their feedback they mentioned that they will use it at their work.
In 2017 520 students applied to participate in LSP, and at the end of the year certificates were issued to students:

Number of certificates by level
English course					Math course
Starter 1	Starter 2	Beginner	Elementary	Pre-Intermediate	Starter	Beginner	Pre-Intermediate
96	35	99	39	9	37	17	70
Total number: 278					Total number: 124
Grand total: 402

On the other hand, 16 teachers also got certificates for the PD course in 104 hours for 2 academic years of work. Certificates for teachers were  recognized, signed,  and stamped by the Naryn Oblast Educational Department.

Teachers gave recommendations to improve  work:

-          Involvement to the LSP’s process community, parents and school administration.

-          Include new courses like: Russian language, chemistry, biology and history.

-          Modify and transfer our curriculum to Cambridge curriculum.

-           Carry out various interesting activities as they are in LSP and continue them, because students liked LSP’s presents and they are motivated to continue those contests.

-          Strengthen LSP by fixing one tariff of fee price, do not rise up.

-          To motivate teachers, they recommended conducting LSP’s activities in August 2018 in the lake Issyk-Kul, because they said they ready to pay transportation for themselves.  

-          To motivate students to conduct summer camps for students who are completed course successfully and present students certificates after completion of summer camp. 

Our meetings are always interesting and productive!

Contest in Naryn, 27th of March

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught.” 

   — Oscar Wilde 

When teachers have adequate subject and pedagogic content knowledge and effectively trained, it makes a huge difference on the education of students. Today as never before, meeting our society’s challenges demands educational excellence. To make changes in teachers’ education and to develop their skills and knowledge, Professional Development trainings are organized in LSP for teachers of Naryn Oblast, and opportunity to work with students where teachers implement their new knowledge and skills into the practice. To realize this goal, we organized a Contest between students-representatives from 16 schools of Naryn Oblast at 27^th of March, 2018. 72 students and teachers from Kochkor, At-Baashi, Ak-Taala, and Naryn regions met in Naryn. The Contest was organized at the Naryn State University and an educational tour and a lunch at UCA.  At this activity, participants could compare the facilities of both Universities, to experience the atmosphere of studying and learning at UCA, to meet and talk with students-guides at the UCA, and to ask about opportunities to study there.

In order to educate in the 21st century, teachers need to maintain the student's interest in the material by showing how this knowledge applies in the real world. There are many skills that children will need in order to be successful in the 21st century. Here are a few of the most important 21st century skills that we are working on to improve and develop in LSP, such as ability to collaborate, work in teams; critical thinking skills and problem solving; effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, solve different kinds of non-familiar problems in innovative ways; communication, using oral and written communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts; collaboration to demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams;  creativity and innovation; ability to conduct research to learn about issues and concepts. “ In a survey of 433 institutions of higher learning 95% of the chief academic officers identified critical thinking as one of the most important skills for students and noted that 81% of employers wanted universities to place a stronger emphasis on developing critical thinking skills” (AAC&U, 2011).( Using Critical Thinking Teaching Methods to Increase Student Success: An Action Research Project, 2017, Volume 29, Number 1) Consequently, we want our groups to develop critical thinking skills and other skills. At the last training in Naryn (in February, 2018), we presented and discussed the strategies to teach students to develop such skills. In the educational process through the Learning Support Program, students should be offered a wide variety of ways to learn, among which they could choose to learn and practice or with which they could experiment.  Teachers and students have learned through their research and community work projects, and textbooks are provided as one of many possible resources. All teachers play a significant role in shaping the lives and careers of their students. We observe in LSP the important role of the program play in developing effective, engaged teachers and students that, in turn, can improve outcomes for all students. All of us will benefit from it because our students are the results of our educational processes and inputs. We recognize that this is extraordinarily difficult work and the actual result will not be always visible at the end of academic year but later.  Going from knowing about something to really growing and developing requires a time. Teachers need to give the product of training or development activities the space to be developed. All of us need to sit with new ideas and knowledge. We need to take time to step back, reflect, and consciously decide how one will put new insights, skills, and abilities to work. New ideas, new approaches, new skills all need some practice at school and between schools for the better collaboration and understanding of the process. However, many students develop their potential and demonstrate it at our school and interschool activities. We support our teachers to be flexible with how they teach and give learners the resources to continue learning outside of school.  At the meeting in Naryn (in March, 2018), teachers and students of 16 schools of Naryn Oblast demonstrated their new knowledge, attitudes, and skills through essay writing, speech contest for students of English language course, and Math Olympiad and Contest to solve Math tasks for students of Math course. Students have “room” in the program for group projects and individual assignments. They work with teachers to propose and to implement their Community projects and Research projects. At the same time, independently they write their ideas for speeches, their essays and present them to teachers and students in the groups. They are becoming independent autonomous learners who can find solutions and solve problems, who can act autonomously, but with support of our teachers.  In these projects our teachers and students develop skills that are so valuable in our modern life. Teachers and students learn together and this is amazing that this is not a process of teaching only, but learning collaboratively and shaping new concepts. Teachers also present their speeches and write essays, practice Olympiads with students and learn in this process too. Educator preparation programs for research project work, for Community Project work, essay writing, speech presentations, play an important role not only in modeling effective curriculum and instruction that addresses both content and skills so that their own students will learn well; they offer important, structured opportunities for teachers of LSP to learn how to plan curriculum, set learning goals for their students, organize daily practice; plan and organize lessons,  and evaluate their own and their students’ successes along the way. In short, Learning Support Program play a role in helping all teachers and students in the program to learn, develop, practice, improve; and assess curriculum, planning; and instruction as extra- educational component to the school curriculum.

Training in Naryn 9-11 February 2018

Professional development plays an important role in ensuring that teachers develop their knowledge and skills up-to-date. A professional Development training was organized for 23 teachers from 9^th to 11^th of February, 2018 in   Naryn. Teachers from villages are participants of the Learning Support Program. Teachers are from Kochkor, At-Baashi, Ak-Taala regions and they work according to the working plan of the The Learning Support Program (LSP) from 2014.The program is centered on main aspects that are based on: Continuing Professional Development of teachers   and Students’ direct and indirect involvement into studying and learning. The content of the training provided a fantastic opportunity for English language teachers and Math teachers to learn, develop, and refine skills for providing quality teaching.  Training was focused on development of new knowledge and skills in Innovative way of work with students and Lessons organization for students of pilot groups. Classroom management practices and learner-centered teaching methodologies were developed, presented, and practiced at the training in essay writing, speech, research and community work presentations, creative approaches of work in teaching and learning. Teachers of Math could have a chance to present their research work in Math, to conduct a Quizzing game for students according to the level.  They practiced in writing compare and contrast essay and compare Math proportions, mathematical objects and figures. After practicing, teachers will work with their students to apply the same writing and math skills and to prepare them to think logically and analytically. Teachers of English presented their public speaking skills via prepared speeches.Training equipped teachers with new information about compare and contrast essay writing, photo-story essay writing, research and social work preparation, and a community project implementation. It contributes to the personal growth, confidence, and a wider skillset which will inspire a passion for teaching English and Math.Teachers’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and dispositions have direct and serious implications for the success of the students they teach. From this point, professional learning represents investment in the development of teachers and students, directed at ensuring that the teaching and learning in our schools is up to date and effective. Many factors influence student learning, but it is increasingly clear that what teachers know and are able to do is one of the most important of all. Teachers work directly with students, translate and shape curricular goals and theoretical ideas into classroom practice and create the environment for learning. At the training they presented demonstrative lessons in English and Math and provided to each other constructive feedback for improvement and professional growth.Impact of the project on teacher education amongst our pilot group of students at 16 schools of Naryn Oblast was analyzed. Teachers shared progress reports, challenges and successes; discussed implementation of LSP guidelines; and reflected on some key lessons learnt and the effectiveness of the Teachers’ Conferences and trainings on the work with pilot group students. All teachers were encouraged to submit brief stories about the most important changes that were fulfilled in Learning Support Program, for a “Success stories” booklet that we are going to prepare for the Teacher’s Conference. The booklet is meant to capture lessons, and highlight successes and challenges faced by the program.
Training was very successful because the goals were accomplished. They acquired   new knowledge and skills, shared their best experience of work in LSP, and proposed a plan for the future application of concepts and ideas into their teaching practice. Teachers were motivated in organizing lessons with stationary and newly bought textbooks.However, Program coordinator’s support and mentoring (from AKS) have to be included after the training for Regional coordinators as well as for teachers in Regions. Implementation of new ideas from the training have to checked through the lessons observations, site visits, meetings with administration of the schools and teachers.